Method of imitating leather by paint process



Patented 7 Nov. 18, 1924.

PATENT OFFICE.

Envm GAGE, or 'rAr'r, canrroam' METHOD OF IMITATING LEATHER iBY PAINT PROCESS.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern;

' Be it known that I, ERVIN GAGE, a citlzen' of the United States, residing at Taft, in

the county of Kern and State of Californ a, I have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods of Imitating Leather by Paint Processes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the art of deco- 10 rating and has for its object to provide an im roved method of imitating leather by paint process.

In my invention, ,I prepare a pigmentfor an undercoat or background whlch may be of any desired base color or tint or shade, and this base or undercoat color I prepare of equal portions of lead and turpentme, using colors in oil for coloring the same. This will form a fiat paint for the undercoat color. If a light ellow undercoat or background is desired, or example, chrome yelloyt will form the coloring medium. If black is desired for a background, an suitable black base or prepared flat blac may be employed. Another or stantiall the same, excepting that less turpentine 1s emplo ed and enough cottonseed oil, coal oil or lzerosene is used to retard m drying, since it is desirable that the outer or printing coat not dry too rapidly since l this would prevent the successful finishing of a large panel. The first or undercoat paint is applied on the surface to be dried and is permitted .to thoroughly dry, after which it is sandpapered. If desired or necessary, according .to the character of the material to which the coat is applied, two undercoats may be applied, each being sanded smooth when dry.

Following the sanding of the undercoat or coats the outer or printing coat is then applied with a-brush and this is printed 45 while still wet. The printing may be i done with either silk or burlap cloth, or a good fiber paper affords a very good rint 7 material. This printing consists o employing a handful of the cloth or paper which is pressed against the printing coat while this is Wet and then the printing. medium is pulled away and applied to another zone with the edges of the zones overlapprinting coat is made sub- Application filed September 5, 1928. Serial No. 661,103.

ping so as to insure a complete printing efl'ect throughout the panel or area. After the thus treated surface has dried it is smoothed by sanding.

Following this step the surface is varnished either by a standard flat varnish or if desired by a varnish which may be prepared by heatingthe varnish and mixing with it enough wax to secure a flat finish, this mixture being strained.

A desirable finish may be obtained by using a first-class body varnish and then applying a-mixture of pumice of water or pumice'of oil on pads to take off any hi h gloss. A very satisfactory surface is o tained in eggshell or flat paint finishes,

these being well known trade materials. It

is understood that the finish can be made in any color of leather desired.

The finish produced b the above method 7 and materials is foun to be exteremely durable and practical and is so realistic as to require a very close examination to tell from genuine leather.

It is understood, of course, that in pre paring the ground or undercoat the lead and turpentine may. be varied somewhat in their proportions, according to the nature of the surface to be coated.

It is understood that where it is desired to give ,an imitation leather coat to bodies having a dark or blacksurface finish, my

initial undercoat would be omitted and the process would be carried out by applying the printing coat onto the original dark or black finish.

The important feature of the invention is in the production of a finish coat which will appear to stand in ridges simulating natural leather surface, and this is accomplished by the character .of the printing coat and the so-called printing ste by the application of a'material held in t e'hand and which is pliant and therefore will, at every application, change its zone of impresslon or eifective imprinting outlines and avoid s mmetrical line patterns which result w an Further embodiments, modifications and variations maybe resorted to within the principle of the invention.

vWhat is claimed is:

1. The method of producing imitation leather finish on surfaces comprising, applying a coat of paint to the surfaces to be nished, permitting the same to dry, applying a printing coat of slow drying paint, and applying to the printing coat while still wet, a folded flexible fibrous sheet to produce ridges simulating natural leather surface. 1

2. The method of producing imitation leather finish on surfaces comprising, applying a coating of paint to the surfaces to be finished, permitting the same to dry, treating the coat to produce a dull surface, applying a printing coat of slow drying paint and printing on the printing coat, while still wet, ridges simulating natural leather surface by means of a folded flexible fibrous sheet.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

' E. GAGE. 

